SPS finally showing decent rates of growth!

bif24701 · Sep 15, 2017

Bpb said:
LEDs obviously can grow corals otherwise many of the aquaculture facilities wouldn't use them. Growth of their lineage pieces is important. LEDs are just harder to use correctly. If you've been in the sps game for a while, understand spectrum, placement, use a par meter, ect your chances of success are better. If you're learning sps, it's just so much easier to throw some t5ho up and forget about lighting.

Yup

Fishfinder · Sep 15, 2017

@bif24701 so would it be advantageous to set my LEDS on/off? Skipping my 2-3hr sunrise and sunset?

ikolbaba06 · Sep 15, 2017

Bif is talking about always fiddling with colors and intensities. On/off ramping is just fine. I would second bif plus 1000 because I did the same thing and have stopped and growth has taken off.

Chris Kelly · Sep 15, 2017

I am stuck with no grow and radions. I have tried everything. I just dont like the way t5 has to be mounted over my reefer as hanging from ceiling is not an option. I will some growth then a die off. Pulling my hair out. Im using the wide angle lenses but not helping.

bif24701 · Sep 15, 2017

Fishfinder said:
@bif24701 so would it be advantageous to set my LEDS on/off? Skipping my 2-3hr sunrise and sunset?

Doesn't matter. The key is not to make a lot of changes. The corals will need to adjust to the light. It helps if you can adjust the light to the coral and PAR with and meter. Even better if you can be sure your spectrum choices are good like Kessil Logic or copying a known program like Echotech AB+ program. Then walk away, just walk away. The problem with LEDs is not about what the can't do, it's what they can do. To many options and that most often with first timers leads to mistakes/failures such as a bleaching event. You can actually go backwards if your not cautious and knowledgeable. BRS review of black box makes it very clear that using that kind of light with out a PAR will kill corals. I am grateful for my light choice I'm Kessil because setting up the AP700 was easy. I have made very few changes since putting them on 1.5 years ago.

If I where you I would copy someone's program, someone successful, for spectrum and buy or borrow a PAR meter to set intensity.

bif24701 · Sep 15, 2017

Chris Kelly said:
I am stuck with no grow and radions. I have tried everything. I just dont like the way t5 has to be mounted over my reefer as hanging from ceiling is not an option. I will some growth then a die off. Pulling my hair out. Im using the wide angle lenses but not helping.

I promise you it's not the Radions. It's either your water or you. I don't know your system but a tried and true method is simple like regular water changes. I change 100 gallons on my 300 total system every 1-2 weeks. If your changing you light program stop, just let it be. The corals can easily adjust and they will as long as your water is good and stable.

A sure thing that will set you back is too much intensity with LEDs.

Donovan Joannes · Sep 16, 2017

One thing bad about LED is there are way too many control given to end user, especially on spectrum manipulation. If LED manufacturer can design their fixture a truly set and forget like MH/T5, there should be less thread on LED issues.

TbyZ · Sep 16, 2017

OceanL0ver said:
I have been running LEDs since I started my tank which is for a year now. I mostly have SPS. All nutrients have been under control. Stable alkalinity, calcium and magnesium but unimpressed with the growth until I added two T5 bulbs retrofit and have had them on for about two months and have already noticed significant growth as compared to LEDs alone. I finally feel like I can have a thriving SPS tank after a few years with this growth rate. Just thought I would share, I thought I was doing something wrong.

What T5s bulbs exactly?

OceanL0ver · Sep 16, 2017

TbyZ said:
What T5s bulbs exactly?

ATI Blue plus
ATI Aquablue Special
I built a floating canopy to hide it all

Retrofit KIT from BRS

apt220 · Sep 16, 2017

OceanL0ver said:
I should've just invested in higher-quality lights from the get-go.

In general this is great advice for all equipment IMO. You end up not wasting money.

XNavyDiver · Sep 16, 2017

Fishfinder said:
I wish i could get growth like that

As I would also. Sigh.

Ashish Patel · Sep 16, 2017

Donovan Joannes said:
One thing bad about LED is there are way too many control given to end user, especially on spectrum manipulation. If LED manufacturer can design their fixture a truly set and forget like MH/T5, there should be less thread on LED issues.

This is so true.. I've changed my radion setting about 6 times in 6 month. I started with too much light now I am running 6 and 1/2 hrs higher intensity with SPS AB+ but considering changing it by increasing the whites.. I keep telling myself just let it be and if I want to increase anything just up the intensity gradually. I like that I can have a 3 hr ramp and 3 hr ramp down. But the ability to tweak is a blessing and a curse. I think after my tank is well established with sufficient nutrients I'll let it be aslong as the PAR is in ideal range.

Bpb · Sep 17, 2017

I'd advise getting the tank to ideal par range and leave it there now regardless of anything else. People really should treat their LEDs like they're metal halides or t5ho and just enjoy the energy and heat savings. Don't adjust for any reason. Especially with radions or anything similar. Set the ab+ program and leave it.

Bpb · Sep 17, 2017

I'd advise getting the tank to ideal par range and leave it there now regardless of anything else. People really should treat their LEDs like they're metal halides or t5ho and just enjoy the energy and heat savings. Don't adjust for any reason. Especially with radions or anything similar. Set the ab+ program and leave it.

Vaughn17 · Sep 17, 2017

I have been getting great growth and coloration with both cheap and more expensive leds. I run a whiter spectrum, btw. However, IME water quality is more important than lighting.

Fishfinder · Sep 17, 2017

Anyone have good spectrum settings for reef breeders? I'm trying to dial mine in for better growth

2Wheelsonly · Sep 18, 2017

I think placement is more of an issue with LED than settings; I have seen drastic changes in growth/performance/health of my corals by simply changing from front to back to side by side. I also found in my experiences that when you think you need 4 LED units you actually need 8. AI told me that my tank would need 4 hydra 52's and I fought for growth and sps survival for 2 years before sticking 4 more lights on. My survival rate went from 30% to 90% and my growth was excellent.

happyhourhero · Sep 18, 2017

OceanL0ver said:
After watching the BRS investigates video on Chinese black boxes I do not think the spread is good enough for SPS do you have optimal growth. I agree with what you're saying if you have kessil, AI, Ecotech, and other non black box leds

Black boxes will absolutely grow sps and very well.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/a-little-over-2-months-growth.325289/